City Ville Guide

 POLITICAL STATUS

The Portuguese Republic is a pluralistic democracy with a semi-presidential regime. The present president is M Jorge Sampaio, elected for five years by general election, who wields a power which is only partial in judicial and political arbitrations.

The Prime Minister is M Antonio Guterres, he is responsible to the President and the National Assembly.

The National Assembly is composed of 230 members elected for four years by general election.

 Historical Outline
In the 2nd century BC Lusitania became Roman.
In the 5th century AD the Suebic monarchy came into being, it was later annexed to the Visigoth kingdom.
In the 12th century, the son of Henry of Burgundy, Afonse Henriques, having conquered the Moors in 1139, took the title of King Alfonso 1st and freed his country from Castile.
1290 : Lisbon University was created, in 1308 it was transfered to Coimbra.
The 14th century brought the first expeditions overseas (the Canaries 1327), an agricultural crisis and the plague. At the death of Ferdinand 1st, and the end of the Burgundy dynasty, a new national dynasty was created under John 1st (1385-1433) which crushed the Castilians in 1385 at Aljubarrota.
Portugal started expanding overseas, in Africa, Madeira, the Azores, Rio de Oro, Senegal.
The 15th century is the era of the slave trade to South America (Brazil), the expeditions of Bartholomeu Dias (Cape of Good Hope and the discovery of the Indian Ocean in 1487).
Then in 1494 the Treaty of Tordesillas, which defined the sharing of the world between Spain and Portugal.
Portugal became rich and created the Kingdom of India in 1505 with Alphonse V as Viceroy.
In 1640 Lisbon rose up against Philip IV of Spain, and the Duke of Braganca (John IV) named King.
Spain recognized the independance of Portugal in 1668. Portugal kept Brazil but had to give up its posts in Asia to the Dutch.
In 1703 the Treaty of Methuen was signed with England concluding a trade agreement between the two countries.
John VI, son of Maria 1st, fled to Brazil in 1807 after his country was invaded by France.
France was heavily defeated in Portugal opposite the Spanish and the British and the Napoleonic armies had to pull out of a country left in ruins.
1820 : John VI stayed in Brazil while his country was going through very difficult times. His son Pedro IV abdicated in favour of his daughter Maria II, who was dispossessed by her uncle Mighel in 1828, but she seized power again in 1834.
The 20th Century:
. 1974
The right wing regime which had ruled for 48 years was overthrown by Spinola
.1974-1982
The socialists were elected to power with Soares, then the communists with Cunha.
.1976
A Constitution with a strong Marxist content
.1985
Cavaco Silva elected to the post of Prime Minister
.1986
Portugal and Spain enter the EEC
.16-2-1986
Mario Soares elected as President
.13-1-91
M. Soares re-elected in the presidential elections

.5/3/1995
The Escudo is devalued for the second time

.14/01/1996
M. Jorge Sampaio elected as President

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